Philippine E-Journals

PERFORMANCE OF LAYERS FED WITH DIETARY HERBAL METHIONINE AND DL-METHIONINESUPPLEMENTEDDIETS

Richard Joseph T. Gragasin | Clarita T. Dagaas | Edwin S. Luis

 

Abstract:

 The objective of the study was to determine the performance of layers fed with either DL-methionine (DL-M) or herbal methionine (HM) supplemented diets. A total of 100 individually caged pullets were randomly assigned using a completely randomized design to 5 dietary treatments, namely: diet without methionine supplement, diet supplemented with 100% DL-M, diet with 50% DL-M + 50% HM, diet with 100% HM on equivalent weight basis, and diet with150% HM. Layers were given their respective diets for 16 wk. Each treatment was replicated 20 times with a caged pullet per replicate. No differences were observed in the final body weight and body weight gains among the treatments. Layers fed the 50% DL-M: 50% HM diet had the greatest (P<0.05) ADFI. Hen-day egg production was not affected by the type and level of methionine supplementation; however, layers fed either the 100% DL-M, 50% DL-M:50% HM, or 100% HM diet had improved (P<0.05) feed conversion efficiency compared with those fed the diet with no supplemental methionine. Layers fed the diet with 100% DL-methionine had greater (P<0.05) egg weight than those fed the diet with no supplemental methionine and the diet with 100% HM. However, layers fed with herbal methionine had greater (P<0.05) intensity of yolk color. Layers fed the diet with 50% DL-M:50% HM had the highest IOFC. Under the conditions set in this study, herbal methionine has similar efficacy in terms of egg production and feed conversion efficiency compared with DL-methionine as a supplemental source of methionine in laying diets.